reincarnation

American  

[ree-in-kahr-ney-shuhn] / ˌri ɪn kɑrˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the belief that the soul, upon death of the body, comes back to earth in another body or form.

2. rebirth of the soul in a new body.

3. a new incarnation or embodiment, as of a person.

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reincarnation British  

/ ˌriːɪnkɑːˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the belief that on the death of the body the soul transmigrates to or is born again in another body

2. the incarnation or embodiment of a soul in a new body after it has left the old one at physical death

3. embodiment again in a new form, as of a principle or idea

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reincarnation Cultural  

1. Being reborn in another body. Several religions, including Hinduism, believe that the human spirit returns to Earth in different forms again and again as it strives for perfection.

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Other Word Forms

• reincarnationist noun

Etymology

Origin of reincarnation

First recorded in 1855–60; re- + incarnation

Compare meaning

How does reincarnation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• rebirth vs. reincarnation

Example Sentences

Tibetan Buddhists believe he is the 14th reincarnation of a spiritual leader first born in 1391.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

The ensuing buzz led to a reincarnation of the band, featuring Jageri and Patrick Mwondela from WITCH's old days, and a number of younger European musicians.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025

One regards The Character as the same person in each act, and through changes that occur within each act — identity, death and reincarnation are at the heart of the show.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

As to the Afterlife, I don’t particularly believe in the reincarnation of a soul/entities from human body to human body… or from human body to tomato or cockroach.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2025

Of late, the scruffy yellow, snake-eating reincarnation of Cleofes Apodaca had taken to accompanying Joe into the shed.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols